baleful, inopportune, hoary, execrable, malevolent: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 225. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. baleful · adjective/ˈbeɪl.fəl/

   threatening harm or evil

   The baleful glare of the storm clouds warned us of the impending disaster.

   Synonyms: menacing, ominous, harmful

   Origin: The word 'baleful' comes from the Old English 'bealu,' meaning 'harm' or 'misery,' combined with '-ful,' indicating 'full of' or 'having the quality of.'

2. inopportune · adjective/ɪnˈɑːpərtun/

   occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time

   His inopportune arrival during the meeting disrupted everyone's focus and extended the discussion unnecessarily.

   Synonyms: untimely, inappropriate, inconvenient

   Origin: from Latin 'inopportunus', meaning 'unfavorable or untimely', from 'in-' (not) + 'opportunus' (opportune)

3. hoary · adjective/ˈhɔri/

   gray or white with age; ancient or venerable

   The hoary old man sat on the porch, his beard long and white with age, telling stories of a time long past.

   Synonyms: gray, white, ancient

   Origin: from Middle English 'hoary' meaning 'white or gray with age', from Old English 'har', which meant 'gray' or 'white'.

4. execrable · adjective/ˈɛksɪkrəbl/

   extremely bad or unpleasant

   The film received execrable reviews from critics, who found the plot to be completely incoherent.

   Synonyms: detestable, abhorrent, atrocious

   Origin: Late Latin 'execrabilis', from 'execrari' meaning 'to curse or to abhor'

5. malevolent · adjective/məˈlɛv.ə.lənt/

   having or showing a wish to do evil to others

   The malevolent glare of the villain sent shivers down the spines of all who encountered him.

   Synonyms: malicious, hostile

   Origin: Late Latin 'malevolens', from 'male' meaning 'badly' and 'volens' meaning 'wishing'